LIBYA: Angelina Jolie, actress and ambassador, laments refugee crisis in Libya, West Africa
Hollywood starlet Angelina Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' high commissioner for refugees, expressed serious concerns Wednesday about the tens of thousands of civilians caught up in turmoil in Libya and in West Africa's Ivory Coast, according to information released by the humanitarian agency.
“It is critical that all parties respect the fundamental right of people in danger to flee to safety -- whether civilians caught in conflict in their own country or refugees and asylum seekers caught in new conflicts," Jolie said in a statement. "All I'm asking is that civilians be protected and not targeted or harmed."
In Ivory Coast, fierce fighting in a suburb of the capital, Abidjan, and other clashes have blocked access for humanitarian organizations and brought the country perilously close to all-out civil war, said officials with the United Nations' high commissioner for refugees. They reported that thousands of people had been displaced and were fleeing into neighboring Liberia.
At the same time, the officials voiced concern for thousands of “refugees, asylum seekers and irregular migrants still inside Libya and in circumstances of considerable danger.” The agency has issued a joint appeal with the International Organization for Migration for a massive humanitarian evacuation of people fleeing Libya into Tunisia.
“The world needs to address this moment,” said Jolie, whom officials said was speaking from Kabul, Afghanistan, where she has been on a low-profile two-day visit. “We have to give people safe passage, evacuation if needed, and ensure they have asylum. We don't want to look back and find their deaths are on our hands."
-- Ann M. Simmons
I highly respect this woman,her passion and sencerity dwelling with all this refugees,who are suffering in their life. Not only her generosity funding all project,she already started. So far,she is best in her rule as Ambassador of UNHCR. We all have different belief that divide us all,same aim, serving Only "ONE GOD"..The problem begin with different interpretation,that lead us all divided. "GOD IS LOVE"..She represent the true meaning of "FAITH"..Love one another..us I love you. Only this words will make us live,side by side. What ever religion,color,nation we belong. This is the only way we can avoid hatred and war.
Posted by: Msexodus2000 | March 07, 2011 at 06:52 AM
As usual - she emerges when there's negative publicity to quell - the present one being the specualtion around how much she spent for her kept man's amulet....this woman is the biggest ego in hollywood and the most manipulative...
She is probably just looking for a child from that area of the world as she doesn't have one in her collection.
What' the point of the cameras and reporters following her around while she gives her own money privately to a school? Why not just go on a private visit without the entourage and fanfare? I also wonder what her take is on Michael Moore new assertion that all that money she used recently to buy houses and trips isn't hers, but belongs to the American people and should be divided up equally among the poor. She's one of the first extremely wealthy celebrities I thought of when I saw his sound bite.
Posted by: Bratt | March 06, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Dangermouse it just so happens that Angelina Jolie is Goodwill Embassador since 2001 and she does spend her time and money to bring spotlight on these situations. Kudos to her and her partner that find these issues important and they take it to heart and walk the path they talk. What do you do to make other peoples lives better if not writing stupid reamrks.
Posted by: Angela50 | March 03, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Angelina has earned her stripes as UN ambassador, she walks the walk and rather than attend the latest Hollywood gig, despite her nomination for The Tourist, she's in Libya. Ange uses her high profile casting the media gaze to these atrocities and the plight of those who may otherwise remain a blip on the radar, hidden from the world's eye by political impotence, government controlled media, opportunistic arms dealers and militia taking what little powerless civilians have left. The parochial, small minded commentators who question her motivation ignore the potency of her comments particularly given the ubiquitous coverage only Angelina could achieve. Not only is her knowledge of the region extensive, her understanding of the contributing factors and the most pressing issues is evident. If one life is saved, that is worth more than all the movies, magazines and books ever published, past and present.
Posted by: scout | March 03, 2011 at 03:54 AM
WOW!
The LA Times finally figured a way to blend their favorite subject, Hollywood glitz and glamour, with what they are not good at, reporting important news in an unbiased factual manner.
LA Times - what will she wear on her trip? What do Charlie and Lindsay think about the "the Libya"? Should Kadafi consider a makeover? What colors do you think berkas in Tripoli are shading today?
Breaking! Hard Hitting and Relevant! Only from the LA Times!
Posted by: DangerMouse | March 02, 2011 at 11:42 AM